The Longman Anthology of American Drama is the first publication to provide an overview of important American drama between the covers of a single book. This generous compilation contains 22 full-length plays written by the finest American playwrights. The plays are arranged chronologically. Beginning with a play published 1787, and providing examples of the best U. S. Drama of the nineteenth century, the anthology shows the American play as it takes the center of the Broadway stage in the twentieth century.

Introductions preceding each play provide thematic historical explorations of the American weltanshauung as it appears in the drama. Innocence and sophistication, the black experience, the American treatment of serious drama – these are a few of the themes discussed. There is a bibliography for each play, including works by the playwright and some of the best critical writing about the play. Finally, there is a general bibliography and an extensive list of American plays from 1764-1982.